The Best of Copyblogger 2009

You didn’t think we’d close out the year without a “Best of 2009” post, did you? Well, you’re not getting off that easy.

Here’s the best Copyblogger content of the year, based on your enthusiasm via comments, links, retweets, and gratuitous offerings of produce-based holiday desserts. We thank you all for your continued support (but we trashed the fruitcake, sorry).

Let’s get started.

The First Rule of Copyblogger – It’s a wonderful thing to wake up one morning, check the blog, and see that your Senior Editor has made a Fight Club reference that also establishes the underlying theme of the entire publication. Her name is Sonia Simone, her name is Sonia Simone . . . .

How Twitter Makes You A Better Writer – In the most counterintuitive post of the year, Jennifer Blanchard makes the case that being confined to 140 characters improves your writing skills. Coming in 2010 – How Beer Makes You a Better Driver.

The Art of Writing Great Twitter Headlines – Twitter reinforces the single most important component to attracting online attention — the headline. Well, that and fake celebrity deaths. Better to stick with the headline skills.

10 Secrets to More Magnetic Copy – First-time guest writer Jason Cohen knocks it out of the park with these quick and witty copy tips. He also forces us to retire magnetism metaphors indefinitely.

The 7 Harsh Realities of Social Media Marketing – Did you notice all the “make money quick and easy with social media” hucksters that slithered out from under a rock (and then disappeared just as quickly) in 2009? This one’s for those guys, and anyone who considered following their lame advice.

How to Write With a Knife – Check out this post if you want to improve one of the most important aspects of any type of writing — tight editing. Or if you want to see a cool picture of a blonde with a samurai sword. Whichever.

Since When Are Blogs Not Social Media? – Social networking went mainstream in 2009, prompting some who hopped on board in late 2008 to say they were giving up social media for blogging. What?

Blogging is Dead (Again) – The “blogging is dead” meme comes up at least once a year, but I only feel the need to respond every other year. I feel the same way about voice mail.

Is Commenting on Blogs a Smart Traffic Strategy? – This was a rant in disguise after I’d had enough watching the less-than-smart strategies of some bloggers who left comments. Ironically, the post got 270 comments (and counting), but lame comments on Copyblogger subsequently decreased by 270% (or something).

Seven Bad Writing Habits You Learned in School – Sonia and I would have liked to qualify this post a bit, but I’d like to see you try that with Jon Morrow when he’s got a head of steam. So, a few English teachers got a bit upset, but we placated them with bouquets of gerunds.

Why Content is No Longer King (And Who’s Taking His Place) – The content marketing revolution demonstrates that mere content is no longer king, and this post tells you who’s taking over. No, it’s not Elvis, nor is it a prime minister appointed by the Queen as Lord of Parliament and majority leader of the House of Commons.

Why You Can’t Make Money Blogging – Poor Fake Steve Jobs discovers he’s better suited for day jobs. Read this post to learn why “I want to make money on the Internet” is not a business model.

Is Your Tribe Holding You Down? – The post that defined the Third Tribe was inspired by a challenging email from Seth Godin and our refusal to switch to decaf. What does it all mean? You’ll see in early 2010.

Take The Conversation Further ...

Comments

You know… when you post up great links like that, I get a little more narrow-eyed as I think hard on my battle strategies to steal your crown (and your blog). Hm hm… a formidable opponent indeed, I see…

On a more serious note (what, that wasn’t serious?), s’been a blast working with you guys this year, and I’m looking forward to doing the same in 2010, with just as much eclectic content. (Oh, the topics I can think of NOW!)

I hope that you do what I have in mind because it’ll validate my brain and prove I’m right. If–by chance–you DON’T announce what I have in mind, however, I’ll come knocking with the oh-so-obvious idea.

Great ideas and reminders, and such great WRITING! The artful way that fantastic content is presented is what makes Copyblogger a ‘keeper’ for me when so many blogs are competing for my limited time and attention. So thanks to all the bloggers for their attention to their craft. Looking forward to 2010!

Thanks for compiling these best grabs! I am glad for the one who has written 10 Secrets to More Magnetic Copy because I really learned from it. Writing is really a combination of expertise, principles and the great fun involved which magnets all readers away. There are no goodbyes for me from learning with these 2009 treats.

Wow, what a nice surprise to find this in my inbox today. For a new green-behind-the-cursor blogger, it was huge to get my first guest post accepted by Copyblogger late last summer, and then having my latest make your list is a huge feather in my hard drive.

Thanks for all you do, the high bar you set, the community you create and the open forum you provide.

I have read this blog many times but first time commenting here. Your Blog is really very informative. It is containing really very interesting stuff, writings are amazing. No doubt it is successful blog in 2009.
I wish best luck to you for 2010. Hope you will rock this year also. So keep it up… Keep blogging….

Oh, by the way, my favorite CopyBlogger content at all is Jon’s video on ProBlogger: Speech Recognition Software: The Ultimate Guide. You really should do videos; they’re more personal and interesting, and you have some VERY interesting people here on CopyBlogger!

I think you made the right choices especially with the first. Sonia wrote a great post which gripped me from beginning to end (just like the film).
Copyblogger wouldn’t be what it is without the great ideas and spin on subject matters that convey such passion and orginiality. Well done guys, look forward to reading more!

I just found Copyblogger today and it looks interesting and fun. One request – how about you correct the spelling of dessert in your best of 2009 post? No sense in throwing out the dictionary with the fruitcake…